1. URBAN STREAM REHABILITATION

2. INTRODUCTION, OBJECTIVES & IMPACTS REHABILITATION TECHNIQUES
THE URBEM FRAMEWORK
INDICATORS OF SUCCESS
CASE STUDIES
SOCIAL APPRAISAL
URBAN STREAM REHABILITATION
AESTHETICS
SITE MONITORING
BENEFITS / IMPACTS
REHABILITATION TECHNIQUES

3. AESTHETIC EVALUATION of URBAN WATERCOURSES

4. Aesthetical evaluation
Landscape aesthetical evaluation is now a recognized key aspect of urban river rehabilitation projects.
Several European policy documents encourage/require the inclusion of aesthetical considerations and assessment procedures in the urban planning process – a task that has been often found difficult to accomplish due to its complexity and subjective nature.
URBEM has developed a methodology that allows decision makers to evaluate the aesthetic performance of an urban river, making it possible to assess its potential for river rehabilitation.

5. Aesthetical evaluation methodology
Allows us to…
Gain a better understanding of the different dimensions and characteristics that can be improved through a river rehabilitation scheme:
the River, or natural dimension
the City, or social dimension
the People, or public perception dimension
Compare performances between different sites, different alternatives, and different dimensions.
Choose rehabilitation projects that will best improve the quality of the urban environment.

6. A tri-dimensional approach
Progress
Aesthetical Value
of Watercourses
CITY
RIVER
PEOPLE
(Public Perception)

7. Aesthetical Value of Watercourses
Progress
Aesthetical Value
of Watercourses
RIVER
main natural features that can influence rivers aesthetics are considered
River Typology
River Morphology
Biological Components
Natural Techno-Hazards

8. for example Aesthetical Value of Watercourses RIVER Progress
River Typology
River Morphology
Flood Vulnerability
Biological Components
Erosion and
Landslide Risk
Natural Techno-Hazards

9. for example Aesthetical Value of Watercourses RIVER Progress
River Typology
River Morphology
Flood Vulnerability
Biological Components
Erosion and
Landslide Risk
Natural Techno-Hazards
4. Aesthetic Evaluation of Urban Watercourses

10. Aesthetical Value of Watercourses
Progress
Aesthetical Value
of Watercourses
CITY
Urban Space Quality
main issues that describe and influence the aesthetic value of a city-river landscape
Activities of Riverfront
Accessibility
Pollution
Cultural Heritage
4. Aesthetic Evaluation of Urban Watercourses

11. Aesthetical Value of Watercourses PEOPLE
Progress
Aesthetical Value
of Watercourses
PEOPLE
Public perception of river landscape
Place identity
Restorative capacity
4. Aesthetic Evaluation of Urban Watercourses

12. The result – profiling aesthetical characteristics
profiles help show how the different characteristics score and can help guide urban river rehabilitation interventions in order to maximize the aesthetic value of a city-river landscape
RIVER
CITY
PEOPLE
4. Aesthetic Evaluation of Urban Watercourses

13. Summarizing considerations
Evaluation of urban rivers as to their aesthetical values can be used to guide rehabilitation interventions to make the most of their potential.
The methodology integrates expert assessments and public surveys into a multi-criteria decision analysis to assess the aesthetic performance of urban rivers.
It reveals the diversity of characteristics of each urban river and their potential for rehabilitation – some could be more related with the social and cultural context, others with a more natural landscape.
It has been tested in different European settings – Portugal, Slovenia, the UK, France.
It is a powerful means of communicating & evaluating proposals of river rehabilitation projects, as well as other interventions in urban waterfronts.
4. Aesthetic Evaluation of Urban Watercourses

14. For further information
Link to more detailed paper…
4. Aesthetic Evaluation of Urban Watercourses